Method and device for separating the upper and sole of a shoe by cutting
The shoe cutting device addresses the lack of versatility in existing systems by using a mobile beam cutting tool and a control system to adapt to different shoe geometries, enabling precise cuts for shoes with unique sole shapes.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023006691
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing shoe cutting devices lack versatility, as they are designed to handle only shoes with identical soles, and the cutting mechanism is not adaptable to the geometry of different shoe soles.
A separation device with a support system to maintain shoes in any position, a cutting station with a mobile beam cutting tool that can move vertically to follow complex cutting trajectories, and a control system to adjust the cutting tool's position based on the shoe's geometry.
The device can efficiently cut shoes with varying sole geometries, enhancing versatility and ensuring precise cuts by determining and following customized cutting trajectories.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Method and device for separating by cutting an upper and a sole of a shoe
[0001] The present application relates to a method and a device for separating by cutting an upper and a sole of a shoe.
[0002] According to an embodiment described in document CN112476499, a device for separating by cutting an upper and a sole of a shoe comprises a belt conveyor on which are fixed supports configured to each hold a shoe. Each support comprises a housing adapted to the shape of the sole of the shoe. When they are positioned on the supports, the shoes pass between two knives in the form of rotating discs positioned in a horizontal plane.
[0003] This device is not entirely satisfactory, particularly due to its lack of versatility. Since each support is adapted to a specific shape of sole, this device can only treat shoes with identical soles. To treat other shoes, it is necessary to change the supports in order to adapt them to the shapes of the new shoes to be treated.
[0004] According to another disadvantage, the cut obtained by the rotating discs is always positioned in a horizontal plane and is not adapted according to the geometry of the sole of the shoe.
[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a device for separating by cutting a sole and an upper of a shoe, said device comprising at least one holding system configured to hold a shoe to be cut in a given position, a cutting station comprising at least one tool configured to cut the shoe as well as a main conveyor configured to move the shoe to be cut in a horizontal direction of movement relative to the tool.
[0007] According to the invention, the cutting separation device comprises a station for determining a cutting trajectory configured to determine a cutting trajectory associated with the shoe to be cut. In addition, the tool provided for cutting the shoe is a beam cutting tool movable in a vertical direction, the cutting station comprising a control system configured to control a movement in the vertical direction of the beam cutting tool, during the movement of the shoe to be cut in line with the beam cutting tool, so that the beam emitted by the beam cutting tool follows the cutting trajectory associated with the shoe to be cut.
[0008] Determining a cutting path prior to cutting makes it possible to adapt the cutting according to the geometry of the shoe. Moving each beam cutting tool vertically during the horizontal movement of the shoe in line with each beam cutting tool makes it possible to simply follow a cutting path even if the latter is relatively complex.
[0009] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:
[0010] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of a device for separating by cutting an upper and a sole of a shoe illustrating an embodiment of the invention,
[0011] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a shoe feeding station illustrating an embodiment of the invention,
[0012] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a shoe support system illustrating an embodiment of the invention,
[0013] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a shoe support system illustrating an embodiment of the invention,
[0014] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a work determination station cutting device illustrating an embodiment of the invention,
[0015] [Fig.6] is a side view of a shoe and a cutting path illustrating an embodiment of the invention,
[0016] [Fig.7] is a rear view of a cutting station illustrating one embodiment of the invention,
[0017] [Fig.8] is a front view of a cutting station illustrating an embodiment of the invention,
[0018] [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of an evacuation station illustrating a embodiment of the invention, and
[0019] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of an evacuation station illustrating one embodiment of the invention.
[0020] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig. 1], a cutting separation device 10 comprises at least one main conveyor 12 configured to pass shoes 14 one behind the other in a direction of travel DD through a station for determining a cutting trajectory 16 (visible in [Fig. 6]) as well as a cutting station 18.
[0021] According to an embodiment visible in Figures 4, 6 and 7, each shoe 14 comprises a sole 20, an upper 22 as well as a junction zone 24 connecting the sole 20 and the upper 22. The shoe extends between a front end 14.1 and a rear end 14.2. The upper 22 comprises a rear part 22.1 at the level of the rear end 14.2 as well as an opening 22.2 allowing a foot to be inserted into the shoe 14. The sole 20 has a lower surface S20 in contact with the ground. The shoe 14 has a vertical median plane PMV, substantially perpendicular to the surface S20, which extends between the front and rear ends 14.1, 14.2.
[0022] The cutting separation device 10 comprises at least one holding system 28 secured to the main conveyor 12 and configured to immobilize a shoe 14 in a given position. According to one configuration, the cutting separation device 10 comprises several holding systems 28 distributed according to the direction of travel DD. In each holding system 28, the shoe 14 is positioned so that its vertical median plane PMV is substantially parallel to the direction of travel DD. According to one configuration, the rear end 14.2 is positioned downstream of the front end 14.1. Alternatively, the front end 14.1 could be positioned downstream of the rear end 14.2.
[0023] According to one embodiment, each holding system 28 comprises a substantially horizontal support surface 30, against which the lower surface S20 of the sole 20 is positioned, as well as at least one actuator 32 configured to keep the shoe 14 pressed against the support surface 30. This holding system 28 is adapted to different shoe shapes, which makes the cutting separation device 10 more versatile.
[0024] Each actuator 32 comprises a movable end 34 configured to occupy a first state in which the movable end 34 is spaced from the support surface 30 and allows a shoe 14 to be positioned on the support surface 30 as well as a second state in which the movable end 34 is brought closer to the support surface 30 and presses a shoe 14 against the support surface 30 so as to keep it stationary.
[0025] According to one arrangement, each holding system 28 comprises several actuators 32, 32' aligned along a direction D28 substantially coincident with the vertical median plane PMV of the shoe 14, a first actuator 32 being positioned at the opening 22.2 of the upper 22 and configured to exert a compressive force on the sole 20, at least one second actuator 32' being positioned between the opening 22.2 of the upper 22 and the front end 14.1 of the shoe 14 and configured to crush the upper 22 against the support surface 30. According to one arrangement, the holding system 28 comprises three actuators 32, 32', 32”, a first actuator 32 positioned at the opening 22.2 of the upper 22 as well as second and third actuators 32', 32” positioned between the opening 22.2 of the upper 22 and the front end 14.1 of the shoe 14 and configured to crush the upper 22.
[0026] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], according to a non-limiting embodiment, each holding system 28 comprises a clamp 36 configured to occupy a position spaced apart in which the branches of the clamp 36 are spaced apart to allow the placement of a shoe 14 on the support surface 30 and a tightened position in which the branches of the clamp 36 are brought together to pinch the rear part 22.1 of the upper 22.
[0027] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], according to a non-limiting embodiment, each holding system 28 comprises at least one needle 37, positioned at the level of the bearing surface 30, movable between a retracted position in which the needle 37 is located under the bearing surface 30 and does not project relative to the latter and an extended position in which the needle 37 comprises a portion above the bearing surface 30, projecting relative to the latter. In the presence of a shoe 14 on the bearing surface 30, each needle 37 is configured to penetrate into the sole 20 of the shoe 14 when it is in the extended position. According to one configuration, each holding system 28 comprises several needles 37, for example four, distributed along the direction D28. In addition to the actuators 32, 32', 32”, the needles 3 reinforce the immobile holding of the shoe 14.According to one operating mode, each needle 37 passes from the retracted position to the extended position as soon as the movable end 34 of each actuator 32, 32', 32” is in the second state, close to the bearing surface 30. Each needle 37 passes from the extended position to the retracted position just before the movable end 34 of each actuator 32, 32', 32” returns to the first state, away from the bearing surface 30.
[0028] The holding systems 28 are connected to the main conveyor 12 which is configured to move them in the direction of movement DD continuously or step by step.
[0029] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the holding system 28.
[0030] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig. 4], the cutting separation device 10 comprises a system 38 for measuring the thickness of the sole 20. This measuring system 38 is configured to measure the thickness of the sole at least at one point, in particular at the heel. According to one configuration, the measuring system 38 is a distance sensor configured to measure the distance separating it from the support surface 30. The measuring system 38 is positioned at the movable end 34 of the first actuator 32 capable of being in contact with the sole 20 at the opening 22.2 of the upper 22.
[0031] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the measuring system 38.
[0032] According to one embodiment, the cutting separation device 10 comprises a shoe supply station 40, configured to supply the main conveyor 12 with shoes, positioned upstream of the station for determining a trajectory of cutout 16.
[0033] The shoe supply station 40 comprises a supply conveyor 40.1 on which the shoes 14 are positioned one behind the other. This supply conveyor 40.1 is substantially parallel to the main conveyor 12 and adjoins the latter on a terminal section.
[0034] The shoe supply station 40 comprises a stop 40.2 for immobilizing each shoe 14 present on the supply conveyor 40.1, in line with an empty holding system 28, as well as a first positioning sensor 40.3 configured to detect the presence of a shoe 14 against the stop 40.2. In addition, the shoe supply station 40 comprises a second presence sensor 40.4 configured to detect the presence of a shoe in line with the second presence sensor 40.4, upstream of the stop 40.2.
[0035] The shoe supply station 40 comprises an actuator 40.5 configured to push a shoe 14 from the supply conveyor 40.1 towards the main conveyor 12, into a holding system 28, when the shoe 14 is in contact with the stop 40.2 and detected by the first positioning sensor 40.3. The shoe supply station 40 may comprise a centering system 40.6 for transversely positioning (in a direction perpendicular to the running direction DD) the shoe 14 in the holding system 28.
[0036] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the shoe supply station 40.
[0037] The station for determining a cutting path 16 is positioned upstream of the cutting station 18 and crossed by the main conveyor 12. It comprises at least one image acquisition system 42, such as a camera for example, configured to film each shoe 14 immobilized on a holding system 28. According to one configuration, the station for determining a cutting path 16 comprises a lighting system 44 configured to control the light atmosphere around the shoe 14 when it is filmed by the image acquisition system 42.
[0038] In addition, the station for determining a cutting trajectory 16 comprises a processing system 46 configured to determine a cutting trajectory 48 from at least one image of the shoe captured by the image acquisition system 42 and possibly from at least one measurement of the thickness of the sole 20 determined by the measurement system 38.
[0039] According to a simplified variant, the cutting path 48 is rectilinear. According to another variant, the cutting path 48 is curved, in the form of a broken line or comprises a combination of curved and rectilinear portions.
[0040] According to one configuration, the cutting path 48 is positioned at the level of the sole 20, below the junction zone 24. As a variant, the cutting path 48 could be positioned at the level of rod 22.
[0041] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the station for determining a cutting trajectory 16. Whatever the embodiment, the latter is configured to associate with each shoe 14 a cutting trajectory 48. The latter can be determined according to at least one view of the shoe 14 or selected from a database listing cutting trajectories each associated with a shoe identifier. According to this latter embodiment, each shoe comprises an identifier which is read at the station for determining a cutting trajectory 16 in order to isolate, in the database, the cutting trajectory 48 associated with this identifier.
[0042] The cutting station 18 comprises two beam cutting tools 50, 50' positioned on either side of the main conveyor 12. According to one configuration, each beam cutting tool 50, 50' is of the water jet type. Of course, the invention is not limited to this type of tool.
[0043] As illustrated in [Fig.8], the cutting station 18 comprises, for each beam cutting tool 50, 50', a support 52, 52' supporting a beam cutting tool 50, 50' as well as a slide connection 54, 54' allowing the support 52, 52' to move vertically.
[0044] Each beam cutting tool 50, 50' is configured to occupy an activated state in which it emits a beam F50, F50' and a deactivated state in which it emits no beam. Each beam cutting tool 50, 50' is oriented such that its beam F50, F50' is positioned in a transverse plane perpendicular to the running direction DD. According to one configuration, each beam cutting tool 50, 50' is oriented such that its beam F50, F50' forms, with a horizontal direction, an angle a of between 1 and 10°, the beams F50, F50' forming a V with a tip positioned at the plane PMV and offset downwards relative to the beam cutting tools 50, 50'. Thus, the two beams F50, F50' are not coaxial, which avoids energy loss during cutting.
[0045] The beam cutting tools 50, 50' move simultaneously vertically.
[0046] The cutting station 18 comprises a control system 56 configured to control the movement of the beam cutting tools 50, 50' vertically as a function of the position of the shoe 14 in the running direction DD and the determined cutting trajectory 48.
[0047] A method of separation by cutting comprises a step of running a shoe 14 between the two beam cutting tools 50, 50' positioned on either side of the main conveyor 12 as well as a step of moving the beam cutting tools 50, 50' in a vertical direction as a function of the position of the shoe 14 in the running direction DD and the cutting trajectory 48. determined.
[0048] The position of each shoe 14 being known relative to the holding system 28, the position of the latter as a function of time being known relative to the main conveyor 12 and to a fixed reference frame, the control system 56 is configured to determine the position as a function of time of the shoe 14 in the fixed reference frame. The position in the fixed reference frame of the transverse plane containing the beams F50, F50' being known, the position as a function of time of the shoe 14 in the fixed reference frame also being known, the control system 56 determines the position, as a function of time in the fixed reference frame, of the beam cutting tools 50, 50' in the vertical direction so that the beams F50, F50' impact the shoe 14 following the cutting trajectory 48.
[0049] According to one embodiment, the cutting station 18 comprises a cell in which the beam cutting tools 50, 50' are positioned to confine the water particles produced during cutting in the cell.
[0050] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the cutting station 18.
[0051] Regardless of the embodiment, the cutting station 18 comprises at least one beam cutting tool 50 configured to emit a beam F50, at least one movement system 52, 54 configured to move each beam cutting tool 50 in a vertical direction, and a control system 56 configured to control the movement system 52, 54 as a function of the cutting trajectory 48 associated with the shoe 14 present in the control station 18 and the position of the shoe 14 relative to the beam cutting tool 50 so that the beam F50 emitted by the beam cutting tool 50 follows the cutting trajectory 48 associated with the shoe 14 present in the cutting station 18, the shoe 14 moving in a horizontal direction relative to the beam cutting tool 50.
[0052] Thus, whatever the operating mode, the method of separation by cutting comprises a step of associating a cutting trajectory 48 with the shoe 14 to be cut, a step of running past at least one beam cutting tool 50 of the shoe 14 for which the cutting trajectory has been determined as well as a step of moving each beam cutting tool 50 so that the beam F50 emitted by the beam cutting tool 50 follows the cutting trajectory 48 associated with the shoe 14 to be cut, the latter moving in a horizontal direction relative to the beam cutting tool 50.
[0053] Determining a cutting path 48 prior to cutting makes it possible to adapt the cutting according to the geometry of the shoe. Moving each beam cutting tool 50 vertically while the shoe moves horizontally past each beam cutting tool 50 makes it possible to simply follow a cutting path 48 even if the latter is relatively complex.
[0054] Downstream of the cutting station 18, the cutting separation device 10 comprises a discharge station 58 at which the upper 22 and the sole 20 separated by the cutting are oriented towards a first zone for the upper 22 and towards a second zone for the sole 20.
[0055] The evacuation station 58 comprises a first actuator 60 configured to push the rod 22 towards the first zone, at which a container 62 is provided for example, as well as a second actuator 64 configured to push the sole 20 towards the second zone at which a evacuation conveyor 66 is provided. The evacuation station 58 may comprise a drying system 68 positioned in line with the evacuation conveyor 66 as well as a detection cell 70 configured to identify the nature and / or the composition of the soles 20 in order to sort them.
[0056] According to one operating mode, after the cutting operation, the holding system 28 leaves the cutting station 18 and moves towards the evacuation station 58. When the holding system 28 is positioned at the evacuation station 58, the actuators 32, 32', 32” are controlled so that their movable ends 34 are moved away from the bearing surface 30. In addition, the clamp 36 is controlled so as to move to the moved away state. From then on, the first actuator 60 pushes the rod 22 out of the holding system 28, towards the container 62, and the second actuator 64 pushes the sole 20 out of the holding system 28, towards the evacuation conveyor 66. The holding system 28 being empty, it is moved to the shoe supply station 40 for a new cycle.
[0057] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the evacuation station 58.
[0058] Finally, the cutting separation device 10 comprises a control / command system 72 configured to control in a coordinated manner the movements of the different actuators and / or conveyors as well as the actions at the different stations.
Claims
Claims
1. Device for separating by cutting a sole (20) and an upper (22) of a shoe (14), said device comprising at least one holding system (28) configured to hold a shoe (14) to be cut in a given position, a cutting station (18) comprising at least one tool (50) configured to cut the shoe (14) as well as a main conveyor (12) configured to scroll the shoe (14) to be cut in a scrolling direction (DD) horizontal relative to the tool of the cutting station (18), characterized in that the device for separating by cutting comprises a station for determining a cutting trajectory (16) configured to associate a cutting trajectory (48) with the shoe (14) to be cut,in that the tool of the cutting station (18) is a beam cutting tool (50) configured to emit a beam (F50) movable in a vertical direction and in that the cutting station (18) comprises a control system (56) configured to control a movement in the vertical direction of the beam cutting tool (50) during the movement of the shoe (14) in line with the beam cutting tool (50) so that the beam (F50) emitted by the beam cutting tool (50) follows the cutting trajectory (48) associated with the shoe (14) to be cut.,
2. Cutting separation device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cutting station (18) comprises two beam cutting tools (50, 50') positioned on either side of the main conveyor (12), moving simultaneously vertically, each beam cutting tool (50, 50') being oriented so that its beam (F50, F50') forms, with a horizontal direction, an angle (a) of between 1 and 10°.
3. Cutting separation device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each beam cutting tool (50, 50') is oriented so that its beam (50, 50') is contained in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel (DD).
4. Cutting separation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each holding system (28) comprises a substantially horizontal support surface (30) against which the sole (20) is positioned as well as at least one actuator (32) configured to keep the shoe (14) pressed against the support surface (30).
5. Cutting separation device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shoe (14) extends between front and rear ends (14.1, 14.2), the upper (22) comprising an opening (22.2) near the rear end (14.2), and in that each holding system (28) comprises a first actuator (32), positioned in line with the opening (22.2) of the upper (22), comprising a movable end (34) configured to exert a compressive force on the sole (20), as well as at least one second actuator (32', 32”), positioned between the opening (22.2) of the upper (22) and the front end (14.1) of the shoe (14), comprising a movable end (34) configured to crush the upper (22) against the bearing surface (30).
6. Cutting separation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting separation device comprises a measuring system (38) for the thickness of the sole (20).
7. Cutting separation device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the measuring system (38) is positioned at the movable end (34) of the first actuator (32).
8. Cutting separation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each holding system (28) comprises a substantially horizontal bearing surface (30) against which the sole (20) is positioned as well as at least one needle (37) movable between a retracted position in which the needle (37) is located under the bearing surface (30) as well as an extended position in which the needle (37) comprises a portion above the bearing surface (30), each needle (37) being configured to penetrate into a sole (20) of a shoe (14) when it is in the extended position.
9. Cutting separation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the station for determining a cutting trajectory (16) comprises at least one image acquisition system (42) as well as at least one processing system (46) configured to determine a cutting trajectory (48) from at least one image of the shoe (14) captured by the image acquisition system (42).
10. Cutting separation device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the station for determining a cutting trajectory (16) comprises a lighting system (44) configured to control the light atmosphere around the shoe (14).
11. Method for separating by cutting a sole (20) and an upper (22) of a shoe (14), the method comprising a step of moving a shoe (14) to be cut past at least one cutting tool (50), characterized in that the method of separating by cutting comprises a step of associating a cutting trajectory (48) with the shoe (14) to be cut as well as, each cutting tool being a beam cutting tool (50) emitting a beam (F50), a step of moving each beam cutting tool (50) so that the beam (F50) emitted by the beam cutting tool (50) follows the cutting trajectory (48) associated with the shoe (14) to be cut, the latter moving in a horizontal direction relative to the beam cutting tool (50).
12. Method of separation by cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cutting trajectory (48) is determined as a function of at least one view of the shoe (14).
13. Method of separation by cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cutting trajectory (48) is determined as a function of at least one measurement of the thickness of the sole (20).